Cinch connector



July 21, 19.59

C N. HENRY CINCH CONNECTOR FledvFeb. 26, 1957 Noah Henry INVENToR.

um BY M5175 United States Patent O CINCH CONNECTOR Noah Henry, Oakdale, Calif.

Application February 26, 1957, Serial No. 642,548

1 Claim. (Cl. 24-232) The present invention relates to new and useful mprovements in saddles and bareback riggings or surcingles particularly for rodeo riding, horse breaking and training, etc., and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for instant- 1y releasing or disconnecting the cinch whereby the saddle or rigging may be removed as the rider leaves the animal.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a connector of the aforementioned character comprising means for expeditiously tightening the cinch when the animal is saddled.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a cinch connector of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, reliable and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of Construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a rodeo saddle equipped with a cinch connector embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the connector;

Figure 3 is a View in side elevation thereof; and

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation, showing a bareback rigging or surcingle embodying a cinch connector in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and to Figure 1 thereof in particular, it will be seen that reference character 5 designates generally a conventional rodeo saddle comprising the usual downwardly convergent quarter straps 6 of the lower ends of which are connected by a ring 7. Of course, the members 6 and 7 are provided on both sides of the saddle 5.

The saddle 5 is secured in position on the animal by means comprising a cinch 8. At least one end of the cinch 8 is connected to a latigo 9 by a ring 10. Mounted on the upper end of the latigo 9 is a connector 11 for releasably securing said latigo to the ring 7.

As illustrated to advantage in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing, the connector 11 comprises a split, substantially ovate metallic loop 12 to the lower portion of which the latigo 9 is attached. The loop 12 terminates in spaced, parallel, upwardly, outwardly and then downwardly exf. ICC

tending hooks 13. The hooked end portion 14 of a locking lever 15 is pivotally secured between the bills 16 of the hooks 13 by a pin 17. At its free end, the locking lever 15 terminates in an eye 18 to facilitate connecting an operating strap or rope to said locking lever. A horizontal bar 19 extends across the loop 12.

It is thought that the use of the connector will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briey, to connect the respective end of the cinch 8 to the saddle 5, the locking lever 15 is swung upwardly to the dotted line position of Figure 3 of the drawing and inserted through the quarter strap ring 7 from the inner side thereof. The locking lever 15 is then swung outwardly and downwardly on its pivot 17, said locking lever sliding through the ring 7 as it is thus actuated for engaging said ring 7 in the bills 16 of the hooks 13 thereby drawing the cinch 8 tight and detachably anchoring the same to the quarter strap ring 7. To release this end of the cinch 8, the rider swings the locking lever 15 outwardly and upwardly and the hooked end portion thereof disengages the ring 7 from the bills 16 of the hooks 13 in an obvious manner. The saddle 5 is now free to fall or be taken from the animal.

Figure 4 of the drawing illustrates the connector in use for releasably connecting one end of the cinch 20 to the usual ring 21 of a bareback rigging or surcingle 22. Reference character 23 designates a portion of the body of a horse on which the rigging 22 is mounted.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

Means for releasably connecting one end of a cinch to a quarter strap ring of a saddle, said means comprising: a split, substantially ovate metallic loop mounted on said one end of the cinch, a pair of upwardly, outwardly and then downwardly extending, spaced hooks on the ends of the loop having laterally spaced apart bills engageable in a quarter ring, and a locking lever including a hooked end having a bill pivotally connected to and between the bills of the hooks and operatively engageable with a quarter ring for engaging said hooks therein and having a free end opposite and in front of the loop, and a crossbar in said loop for preventing said free end from swinging into the loop.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 85,646 Dolan Jan. 5, 1869 340,892 Newman Apr. 27, 1886 544,483 Eckert Aug. 13, 1895 801,172 Ashley Oct. 3, 1905 2,128,803 Donaldson Aug. 30, 1938 2,556,461 Baron June l2, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 135,270 Great Britain Nov. 18, 1919 

